WEED (BUDZ) Risk Factors

Although we have plans to be a company with a multitude of business segments, one of our first forays into medical cannabis research is the 5-year cannabis genomic study being conducted by Sangre. In the event that we are unable to complete the 5-year study for any reason, such as the inability to complete our planned human clinical trials in phases 2 and 3 of the study, or if those trials are not successful, then it could significantly impact our business.

In order to protect or enforce our patent rights, we may initiate patent or trademark litigation against third parties. In addition, we may become subject to interference or opposition proceedings conducted in patent and trademark offices to determine the priority and patentability of inventions. The defense of intellectual property rights, including patent rights through lawsuits, interference or opposition proceedings, and other legal and administrative proceedings, would be costly and divert our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. An adverse determination of any litigation or defense proceedings could put our pending patent applications at risk of not being issued. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. For example, during the course of this kind of litigation, confidential information may be inadvertently disclosed in the form of documents or testimony in connection with discovery requests, depositions or trial testimony. This disclosure could have a material adverse effect on our business and our financial results.

Continued development of the cannabis industry is dependent upon continued legislative authorization of marijuana at the state level. Any number of factors could slow or halt progress in this area. Further, progress for the industry, while encouraging, is not assured. While there may be ample public support for legislative action, numerous factors impact the legislative process. Any one of these factors could slow or halt use of marijuana, which would negatively impact our business. As of February 2023, 39 states and the District of Columbia allow its citizens to use medical marijuana, and 21 states have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use. The state laws are in conflict with the Federal Controlled Substances Act, which makes cannabis use and possession illegal on a national level. Prior administrations (namely, President Obama) effectively stated that it is not an efficient use of resources to direct law federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute those lawfully abiding by state-designated laws allowing the use and distribution of medical marijuana. The current administration (Biden administration) has not yet indicated how it might regulate the marijuana industry at the federal level, but to date there has been very little in terms of action. There is no guarantee that the Biden administration or future administrations will maintain the low-priority enforcement of federal laws in the marijuana industry that was adopted by the Obama administration. Any new administration that follows could change this policy and decide to enforce the federal laws strongly. Any such change in the federal government's enforcement of current federal laws could cause significant financial damage to our business and our shareholders. Further, and while we do not intend to harvest, distribute or sell cannabis, if we conduct research with the cannabis plant or lease buildings to growers of cannabis, etc., we could be deemed to be participating in cannabis cultivation, which remains illegal under federal law, and exposes us to potential criminal liability, with the additional risk that our properties could be subject to civil forfeiture proceedings.